System and Method for Robust Touch Detection for On-Skin Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Interfaces

Abstract

A system and method for detecting when a user contacts one arm to an opposing arm. The system comprises an emitter worn by the user on one arm and a receiver located on an opposing arm, on the user's head, or on a different part of the user's body. Contact, or touch, is indicated by comparing the value of an electrical signal flowing along a path establish, in part, through the user's skin to a threshold. When touch is initiated, multiple electrical paths are created, including one that generates airborne signal emanating from the user's body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 973,569, filed on Oct. 11, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Augmented reality and virtual reality (AR / VR) systems generally rely on either handheld controllers or in-air bare hand gestures for user input. Both of these approaches excel at fluid, coarse-grained input but are weaker at fine-grained interactions, such as typing on a virtual keyboard. Indeed, it is rare to see closely packed targets in current AR / VR interfaces, and when they do appear, extra care must be taken by the user.

[0004] Other modalities are possible, which can improve the precision, bandwidth, and comfort of AR / VR interactions. One option is to directly modify the body, for example, by adding a sensing layer to the skin's surface or implanting sensors under ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0021]The system and method of the present invention leverage the conductivity of the human body, which serves as a transmission medium for radio frequency (RF) signals. In one embodiment, the augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR) interface 100 comprises an emitter 101 and a receiver 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the emitter 101 can be a smartwatch or similar body-worn device and comprises two electrodes 110 used to transmit the signal into the user's body. The receiver 102 is housed within a AR / VR headset 103 and is capable of detecting the signal from the emitter 101.

[0022]When a user wears an emitter 101 on the arm, wrist, hand, or other body part, the RF signal is conducted through the user's skin on a short path (P1) between the electrodes 110 of the emitter 101, as shown in FIG. 2A. When a user touches their arm or hand, a second, longer path (P2) is formed through the opposite arm from which the emitter 101 is worn. Path P2 is depicted on FIG. 2B. Thus, the RF signal emitted f...

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 973,569, filed on Oct. 11, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Augmented reality and virtual reality (AR / VR) systems generally rely on either handheld controllers or in-air bare hand gestures for user input. Both of these approaches excel at fluid, coarse-grained input but are weaker at fine-grained interactions, such as typing on a virtual keyboard. Indeed, it is rare to see closely packed targets in current AR / VR interfaces, and when they do appear, extra care must be taken by the user.

[0004] Other modalities are possible, which can improve the precision, bandwidth, and comfort of AR / VR interactions. One option is to directly modify the body, for example, by adding a sensing layer to the skin's surface or implanting sensors under ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0021]The system and method of the present invention leverage the conductivity of the human body, which serves as a transmission medium for radio frequency (RF) signals. In one embodiment, the augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR) interface 100 comprises an emitter 101 and a receiver 102. As shown in FIG. 1, the emitter 101 can be a smartwatch or similar body-worn device and comprises two electrodes 110 used to transmit the signal into the user's body. The receiver 102 is housed within a AR / VR headset 103 and is capable of detecting the signal from the emitter 101.

[0022]When a user wears an emitter 101 on the arm, wrist, hand, or other body part, the RF signal is conducted through the user's skin on a short path (P1) between the electrodes 110 of the emitter 101, as shown in FIG. 2A. When a user touches their arm or hand, a second, longer path (P2) is formed through the opposite arm from which the emitter 101 is worn. Path P2 is depicted on FIG. 2B. Thus, the RF signal emitted f...

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